18-year-old Oklahoma City-native and current Alaskan Braelyn always dreamt of becoming a famous musician. After singing covers for years, she was introduced to SoundCloud in high school. She realized that this platform, which allows anyone to share their music for free, was the way to go. She would experiment for years to find her own sound. Sitting on her bed wearing headphones, playing with sounds and styles, she eventually found her voice.

Braelyn’s atypical indie-pop music transcends genres, layering emotional harmonies and soulful lyrics. She combines the ethereal wisps of Billie Eilish with the smoky intensity of Lorde to create a sound uniquely her own. Her most popular song, “how does one love,” has over 16,000 streams. She sits at a little over 500 followers on SoundCloud (Braelyn) and over 2,500 followers on Instagram (@braelynofficial).

The Fordham Ram spoke with Braelyn to gain some insight on her creative process.

Q: So you’re only 18. What’s an average day like for you? Do you go to school or have a job?

A: Every day I wake up, go to school, go home, make music. It’s a cycle. I used to work, but let’s just say that I’m a better artist than employee.

Q: Describe your sound to someone who’s never listened to you.

A: I’d say my sound is complex and ever-changing. It knows exactly what you need to hear in that moment, and it knows what feelings to draw out, mostly due to the layers and layers of harmony. I used to make melancholy and R&B stuff, but as I transform as a person, my music does too. My sound is different today, and it’ll be different tomorrow, you know?

Q: Who are some of your biggest inspirations? Why?

A: Willow Smith and Jaden Smith are the biggest influences in my music and life by far. I mean, what is there not to love about them from their fashion style, musicality and risk-taking in the industry? They’re fearless, it’s all so out there and the way they use their platforms is so inspirational.

Q: What’s your creative process like? How do you record/write?

A: My creative process is bizarre. I almost wish it was different, but then I remember there’s something so purely organic about the way my music comes together so I shouldn’t change it. My best songs write themselves. I can’t just sit down and write at my own will. It feels too much like a prompted assignment and I’d frustrate myself trying to build something that was never there. I usually surf through beats, and I’ll know exactly when it’s the right one. It’s like matching an outfit, you look at the color and style and you’ll know when it doesn’t work.

Q: What do you think is the best song you’ve ever made? Why?

A: Definitely “final warning.” It was the first time that I tried writing from another person’s perspective, sort of like creating a mindset and experience that I have never had. It was cool to see how perfect it came together. The instrumental was bold and the creative process was experimental, yet it became my favorite outcome.

Q: Where do you see your career going in the next few years?

A: It’s hard to be an independent artist, and it’s hard to learn the business side of music through hearsay and experience. Within the next year I’ll transition to exclusively releasing music through Spotify and Apple Music, which has way better reach than SoundCloud. But I know that I’ll be somewhere bigger and better than here-and-now. That’s all that matters, I know that it takes time and chance, definitely.

Q: Have you ever collaborated with other artists? What’s it like?

A: I’ve worked with some local artists which is always inspiring. Most of my best work is with producers that are out of state. It’s just so amazing to be able to bring something together with people you’ve never even seen before all through passion and technology. One minute it’s an instrumental track that speaks for its own and the next it’s a collaborative piece of art that is just another layer of expression. There are barely any limits anymore. Honestly, you can work with anything and anyone if opportunity allows it.

Q: What was your first concert?

A: Taylor Swift. It was her RED Tour. I just remember being so impressed that she was a real person, and it felt weird that I was breathing the same air as her.  She definitely sparked my interest in performing. I would do anything to look like her, too. When she cut bangs, I cut bangs in my hair. I would even draw the little “13” on my hand like she used to do.

Q: Who is your dream producer to work with?

A: Mike WiLL Made-It and Tame Impala.

Q: Dream venue or festival to play?

A: My dream venue is the Red Rocks Amphitheater. Who wouldn’t want to perform under the sky with a vast horizon?

Q: What’s your favorite social media platform to connect with fans?

A: I love connecting with fans and other artists through Instagram. They can see a piece of my life beyond my music, and I get to engage with people that I usually never see or hear from. When people listen to your music it’s hard to visualize the support because it becomes numerical. It’s just stats and plays and comments. Instagram helps bridge all that together.

Q: Who’s another under the radar artist we should be listening to in your opinion?

A: Belis. Belis, Belis, Belis! I wouldn’t say she’s exactly “under the radar” because she’s doing just fine at catching people’s attention and paving her way on her own. But she definitely deserves more recognition. (Her SoundCloud is belis and Instagram is @belisgo.)